Patent FR-2791366-A1 (FR)
Title: Appts to bond layers of materials in a three-dimensional fabric has blocks in the piston paths to restrict their movements for shorter operating times and increased productivity
Inventor: YASUI YOSHIHARU
IPC: D04H1/00
Filed: 2000-03-24
Abstract: The appts. (1) for the insertion of bonding filaments in the prodn. of a three-dimensional fabric, into overlaid layers (F) which have fibers aligned in at least two directions. Insertion needles are moved from a rest position into the working position, where they can be moved through the layers (F). The layers (F) are locked in place by two opposing press units, operated by pneumatic pistons. A blocking unit can be moved into the piston paths, set by a control, to restrict the piston movements.  The movements of the two press units have a discrete adjustment. The second press unit, and its pneumatic piston, are supported on a frame, which can be moved at right angles to the layered materials (F). The support frame is held by the screw of a threaded spindle, for the raising and lowering movements, coupled to a manual crank. When the needle is at the working position, the needle eye is aligned to form a loop in the bonding filament, and a further needle is activated to insert a locking filament through the loop. The bonding filament is drawn from a bobbin through a brake, to apply a controlled filament tension, using two fixed rollers and a moving roller which shifts at right angles to the plane through the axes of the fixed rollers. The brake is operated by a pneumatic piston and a displacement motor which varies the length of filament passing between the fixed rollers through the brake roller assembly. The layers (F) are held by frames, where one frame holds overlaid untreated layers (F) and one frame holds overlaid treated layers (F). The frames are supported by at least two tables (10) with a guide mechanism to shift the tables (10) simultaneously in the transport direction as they are moved in a forwards step, to give successive movements in front of the bonding filament insertion point. Each table (10) has a lock which holds them together. The tables (10) are advanced by the transport mechanism by a movement which is longer than the table (10) length, with a guide structure to keep each table (10) on a horizontal lie. The threaded spindle along the transport line is operated by a servomotor (23) acting on the nut at the threaded spindle. The support table (10) is engaged by a pneumatic piston or an electromagnet in a prepared hole. For the insertion of the locking filament through the bonding filament loops, a continuous belt passes round a number of pulleys, with a drive motor to shift the belt. A segment of the belt is parallel to the row of bonding needles, and the belt segment is longer than the shift of the needle hook-up for the insertion of the locking filament. The locking filament insertion needle is fitted to the continuous belt between the working position and the rest position where the belt turns. The assembly has a row of punch needles to perforate the layers, operating in steps matching the bonding filament insertion needles. The mechanism to operate the punch needles works at a speed to give them a relatively fast movement outside the layers (F) and a relatively slow movement through them. The support frame for the locking filament is moved along the filament movement line while the bonding filament insertion needles are retracted, as far as the locking filament insertion needles, and opposite the insertion points of the bonding filament needles.